Mature Believers, the Church & the Holy Spirit

 “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke’s record of Pentecost is, “Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them.”  This is the pillar of fire that led Israel from bondage into the promised land.  The same pillar of fire manifested here to intimate a new beginning from dead religious structures into the powerful life of the Holy Spirit.  Each believer received an overpowering flame of fire, signified by the shaft of light that rested and engulfed them.  It was as though each one received how own personal pillar of fire that would empower him and lead him throughout his life.  This was the promise Jesus gave to His disciples of “the One like Me”, Who would be sent by the Father and never leave them.  Today every believer is indwelt by the Spirit of Christ.  This was the birthday of the Church of Jesus Christ.  As Paul explained, “But when the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, you are not dominated by the flesh but by the Spirit. And if you are not joined to the Spirit of the Anointed One, you are not of Him.”  The Church has been called for newness of life, past the stage of repentance and now to be led by the mighty Holy Spirit through the powerful Word of God to speak righteousness into every situation.  “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”  Let’s believe the Word of God and be the Church God wants us to be.  Amen!

The Righteous in Christ Do Well

 “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah’s prophetic word, “Yet reassure the righteous; it will go well with them! They will fully enjoy the reward of their deeds.” This was Isaiah who prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah, at a time when there were no signs of it, for it actually happened more than a century later through the Babylonian empire.  Through prophecies, God taught, that the lovers of God, even in a time of difficulty, can enjoy the sweet fruits of seeking God and serving His Kingdom.  They will reap the good seeds they planted, for seeds turn into fruit.  The fruit of their deeds is the holy confidence that God is with them, even in a season of judgment.  We can know it will go well with us, for the message of God is this: “Tell the righteous they can still be joyful and it will be well with them.  Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope.  Let’s sow words of encouragement to bring the fruit of joy!  The people in today’s world are fearful and anxious, and anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders - may we be speakers of the good news, the Gospel of Christ our God of Hope.  Amen!

The Resurrection Power of the Kingdom of God

 “to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Luke’s record of Jesus’s disciples, “After the sufferings of His Cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period, proving to them with many convincing signs that He had been resurrected. During these encounters, He taught them the truths of God’s Kingdom.”  Jesus appeared to His followers at least eleven times an taught them the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.  For Jesus had told the disciples, “it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven”.  The number forty is significant for it speaks of transformation and completeness through testing.  Jesus was tempted for forty days; the deluge during Noah’s day lasted forty days and nights; Moses met with God for forty days on Sinai; Israel wandered for forty years; and Elijah fasted for forty days.  Jesus spent forty days appearing to His disciples to teach them that a day of completeness and transformation had arrived.  It took them forty days to comprehend that Christ’s Kingdom was spiritual, not political.  The world is still waiting to see “many convincing signs” from our lives signifying that we too have been raised from the dead.  Spiritual fruit and spiritual power provide these signs. Let’s  proclaim the Kingdom of God with power not just with words only.  Amen!

Every Knee Shall Bow & Every Tongue Confess that Jesus Christ is LORD

 “and upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, and upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied that God Almighty was, “against all the high mountains and all the lofty hills, against every high tower and every fortress wall, against all the trading ships of Tarshish and all the impressive sailing vessels. People’s arrogance will be conquered and brought low, and those proud of heart will be humiliated. Only One will be exalted in that day: Yahweh! Every worthless idol will utterly pass away.”  Governments and kingdoms of this earth are like hills and mountains.  Even the highest of human governmental authorities will bow to the One called Yahweh,  the LORD Almighty.  High towers represent the godless academia that towers intellectually above others; and the strongholds in the mind of humans, thoughts of self-importance that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.  Rebels against God built a tower in Babylon, seeking to be independent of God.  The ships of Tarshish were the largest of ships, able to take the longest voyages and the greatest cargoes.  They typify the great commercial empires built by humans.  The economic system, the commerce of earth, will be brought to the feet of Jesus as He establishes His eternal Kingdom where righteousness and justice rule.  Those who bow before idols will one day bow low before the Lord Jesus, the true God.  Idols are nothing for there is no god but One.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  Amen!

Hearing God Daily Through His Word

 “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the beloved disciple records, “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Peter heard him say that, he quickly wrapped his outer garment around him, and because he was athletic, he dove right into the lake to go to Jesus!”  It was John, the one whom Jesus loved, that recognised the voice of Jesus.  Perhaps it was Peter’s discouragement that prevented him from recognising the voice of the Master.  Peter’s name was Simon which means “he who hears”.  Our hearing Jesus’s voice is hindered when we are confused and filled with doubts.  Each one of us who are disciples of our Lord Jesus, cannot move in doubt and confusion.  Peter ran to Jesus even when he denied Jesus.  Only Jesus can remove our doubt, confusion and depression and build our faith in Him as Peter received this faith.  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  Let’s run to the Word of God, be strong in our faith in Christ for every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world. So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and hear Him everyday.  Amen!

God Sent Christ to be Our Single Sacrifice

 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied to Israel, “And Yahweh keeps saying: “Why such countless sacrifices—what use are they to Me?  I’ve had My fill of your burnt offerings of rams and your fattened animals. I find no delight in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats! When you come before My face, who asked you to come trampling on My courtyards? Stop bringing your meaningless offerings. Your burning incense stinks! Your sin-stained celebrations, your new moon festivals, Sabbaths, your various pious meetings—I can’t stand them! With all My soul I hate your new moon festivals and your feasts; they are nothing but a burden that I’m sick and tired of carrying.”  Outward sacrifices are empty if there is no inward reality - God cannot be bought.  He looks at the heart and requires offerings given in holiness and truth.  God wants to kill that “fattened” part of us that is stuffed only with the letter of the Word but not the humility taught by the Word.  God has a soul with emotions and desires and He doesn’t associate with hypocrisy and being fake.  What should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender ourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes our genuine expression of worship.  Amen!

Believe & Meditate on God’s Word to Receive

 “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the beloved disciple recorded, “For until then they hadn’t understood the Scriptures that prophesied that He was destined to rise from the dead.”  Some believers are in that situation of not understanding Scripture because they don’t bother to meditate on the Word of God and can’t understand it. David prophesied, “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”  Also, “For You will not leave My soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”  Isaiah’s famous prophecy, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”  Hosea prophesied, “After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.”  The disciples believed the Word.  Today, we just have to believe in Christ’s finished work and have our personal encounter with the Word to experience the risen Christ daily.  Amen!

Christ Loves Us Passionately & Personally

 “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, As a seal upon thine arm: For love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as the grave: The coals thereof are coals of fire, Which hath a most vehement flame.”

‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬

Solomon’s song says, “Fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire forevermore. This living, consuming flame will seal you as my prisoner of love. My passion is stronger than the chains of death and the grave, all consuming as the very flashes of fire from the burning heart of God. Place this fierce, unrelenting fire over your entire being.”  Sealing us in His heart, is Christ making us His love prisoner in the cell of His eternal love.  Christ’s passion is a most vehement flame, a mighty flash of fire - it is the Mighty Flame of the Lord Most Passionate.  We must accept that Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!  Let’s receive this love for it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and holds us tightly, because we are convinced that He has given His life for all of us. This means all died with Him.  That’s why we are sealed in His heart and forever prisoners of His eternal love.  Let’s believe and receive His love personally.  Amen!

Love Caused the Disciple to Witness Christ’s Crucifixion

 “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”

‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John, the beloved disciple recorded, “So when Jesus looked down and saw the disciple He loved standing with her, He said, “Mother, look—John will be a son to you.”  Although unnamed, this was most certainly John the apostle.  John, the apostle of love, was the only one of the Twelve, who stood near the Cross and witnessed the crucifixion.  Love doesn’t quit or run away, or hide from pain.  It endures all things, overcomes all things, and empowers us in all things.  John didn’t run from the suffering of the Saviour.  We must be those who will stand next to Jesus even if the entire world is against us. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance and love will last forever! Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.  Let’s receive this love that the Holy Spirit has shed abroad in our hearts and flow with God’s love, to love our Saviour and to love others with God’s love.  Amen!

Bearers of Good News

 “How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! The joints of thy thighs are like jewels, The work of the hands of a cunning workman.”

‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Solomon’s song says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the sandaled feet of this one bringing such good news. You are truly royalty! The way you walk so gracefully in my ways displays such dignity. You are truly the poetry of God—His very handiwork.”  All those who bring the good news of salvation in Christ are the true royalty, filled with grace and truth which comes from Jesus, with the Spirit of sonship received by faith.  Everyone in the Body of Christ who bring the Gospel to hungry hearts, are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and they bring with beautiful feet, the words of life.  As the prophet said, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Christ is reigning in our hearts and may we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness whilst on earth.  Amen!